Sturgis bound 2011
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 149
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From: Lockport, NY
Sturgis bound 2011
I am riding out to sturgis this year with a friend and need info. on good sites to see. We plan on camping in tents and riding alot. We might spend one day at rally but thats not top of the list. Ive never been out west and want to expierance the scenery. Any recomendations for good places to eat would be appreciated also or any input from guys that have been there. Thanks. I went and rode the dragon and Blue ridge pkwy. last year and your input and suggestions were much helpful.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
The guys said most of what needs to be said but check out this web site. www.blackhillsbadlands.com it has the most info i could find when we when out in 2009. Maps of the area, each town. Distances from one place to another. Camping info. places to stay and places to visit. We went out to ride so we went a week early. Rode many of the roads , Rapid City Harley or Black Hills Harley had little booklets they gave out that had the good roads and even had them rates as to difficulty.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
No doubt there will be numerous replies with a wide assortment of input for you. You got my attention when you started-off with you and a buddy RIDING to Sturgis. Good on you. This is the only appropriate way for the mother of all rallies, no matter where you live.
I rode to Sturgis for the first time in my life this past year (2010), and proudly have the patch sewn on my vest. LOL. I was a resident of east coast Florida and took part in all the Daytona Bike Weeks and Biketoberfests for seven consecutive years. I assumed incorrectly what to expect at Sturgis. Myself and two buddies rode from the Atlanta Georgia area. One-way distance was approximately 1560 miles. We took day trips everyday (except one where we walked around downtown Sturgis for the afternoon). We met a fourth buddy in Sturgis who camped with us also.
My odometer revealed that we averaged over 400 miles per day of riding for the 10 days we were gone. We packed tents and sleeping bags, ate (anywhere) when we got hungry, and saw countryside and met folks that I didn't think existed. Being pressed for time, except for a few legs of the trip, we consistently stayed on interstates. I would have needed much more time-off to stay on the back roads (probably the utopia-way to travel).
I have attached a link to a video compilation I made that is combo of still-pictures and video segments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xbvUyWGupc
I will do this again. I will try to take more time for the total trip, and probably not camp in Sturgis itself, but instead outside of town. After long day trips in the surrounding areas, it really sucked having to duck walk the motorcycle through town (taking more than an hour to deal with congestion).
Probably a ton more of back-stories and lessons learned.... but bottom line; I will never forget the awesome experience of this trip.
I rode to Sturgis for the first time in my life this past year (2010), and proudly have the patch sewn on my vest. LOL. I was a resident of east coast Florida and took part in all the Daytona Bike Weeks and Biketoberfests for seven consecutive years. I assumed incorrectly what to expect at Sturgis. Myself and two buddies rode from the Atlanta Georgia area. One-way distance was approximately 1560 miles. We took day trips everyday (except one where we walked around downtown Sturgis for the afternoon). We met a fourth buddy in Sturgis who camped with us also.
My odometer revealed that we averaged over 400 miles per day of riding for the 10 days we were gone. We packed tents and sleeping bags, ate (anywhere) when we got hungry, and saw countryside and met folks that I didn't think existed. Being pressed for time, except for a few legs of the trip, we consistently stayed on interstates. I would have needed much more time-off to stay on the back roads (probably the utopia-way to travel).
I have attached a link to a video compilation I made that is combo of still-pictures and video segments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xbvUyWGupc
I will do this again. I will try to take more time for the total trip, and probably not camp in Sturgis itself, but instead outside of town. After long day trips in the surrounding areas, it really sucked having to duck walk the motorcycle through town (taking more than an hour to deal with congestion).
Probably a ton more of back-stories and lessons learned.... but bottom line; I will never forget the awesome experience of this trip.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
If you are going for the ride and not the rally, might I suggest going the week before the rally starts. The vendors will be there, and the famous bars will be open.
It's Sturgis.... but not as crowded.
You can go into ANY restaurant and grab a table. No lines anywhere. Beer will be A LOT LESS than $6 a can. Pretty much everything will cost less..... including lodging. And you can always find a parking place right in front of where you're going.
When you are riding the Black Hills, you won't have to dodge drunk bikers.
That's the way my wife and I went this year. It was loads of fun, no hassle, and lots cheaper. We stayed in an air conditioned cabin for the same price as sleeping in a tent during the rally. A REAL BED
The only bad thing that happened to us was the hail storm on August 3rd. I think I used every possible combination of swear words while laying on my fuel tank to protect it. That sucker lasted for what seemed like an eternity.
One final note.... stay off of the interstates unless you have no choice. You'll see more, and have a more relaxing ride. I highly recommend rt 44 in South Dakota.
Missouri River
RT44 will take you clear across the state , and will take you right through the Badlands, and into Rapid City. Plenty of gas, and food stops.
It's an extra wide 2 lane..... smooth..... and the speed limit is 65 .... Interstates are 75.
And if you don't bring a camera....... well.............
Note the lack of a crowd.... The wife and myself........ Note the date at the bottom left, and the number of bikes.
It's Sturgis.... but not as crowded.
You can go into ANY restaurant and grab a table. No lines anywhere. Beer will be A LOT LESS than $6 a can. Pretty much everything will cost less..... including lodging. And you can always find a parking place right in front of where you're going.
When you are riding the Black Hills, you won't have to dodge drunk bikers.
That's the way my wife and I went this year. It was loads of fun, no hassle, and lots cheaper. We stayed in an air conditioned cabin for the same price as sleeping in a tent during the rally. A REAL BED
The only bad thing that happened to us was the hail storm on August 3rd. I think I used every possible combination of swear words while laying on my fuel tank to protect it. That sucker lasted for what seemed like an eternity.
One final note.... stay off of the interstates unless you have no choice. You'll see more, and have a more relaxing ride. I highly recommend rt 44 in South Dakota.
Missouri River
RT44 will take you clear across the state , and will take you right through the Badlands, and into Rapid City. Plenty of gas, and food stops.
It's an extra wide 2 lane..... smooth..... and the speed limit is 65 .... Interstates are 75.
And if you don't bring a camera....... well.............
Note the lack of a crowd.... The wife and myself........ Note the date at the bottom left, and the number of bikes.
Last edited by shooter5074; Jan 21, 2011 at 11:04 AM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
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From: Indy
You also may want to carry a small amount of extra gas. Most of S. Dakota is very rural. In fact, I would say that if you think you should stop for gas...do it.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 930
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From: Northwest WI
CannedHam, on one of your legs you could travel across Northern Wisconsin into the U.P. of Michigan to Saulte Ste Marie and then head back to NY through Canada. Very scenic and friendly part of the country